Welshrogue

Alex Hawke is held captive in the Amazonian jungles by a terrorist planning to attack America. Can he escape and help stop the plan before America suffers and falls?

The fourth book featuring Alex Hawke is probably the best one yet. While the previous three were all enjoyable and page turners, they all seemed to be just missing something that clicked, something that would stand out. Spy has it, several times over. The plot is as good as an early Clive Cussler novel, with great characters, both new and old. The main antagonists are wonderfully evil, and yet not so much so as to be unbelievable. The heroes, apart from Hawke himself, are brilliant. There is also a hint of humour that helps the book along. Not out right humour, but moments that make the reader smile to themselves.

Spy delivers what the previous other three books came close to doing, a very enjoyable, and believable story. Obviously the other books helped set the stage and prepare the cast of characters but Spy uses them to the full extent and uses them well!

On Io, the third moon of Jupiter, miners going crazy. Marshall O’Niel is sent to investigate but finds himself in danger as he digs deeper.

Outland is literally High Noon in space. The plot matches the westerns pretty closely but especially then climax. Starring Sean Connery, Outland has the same feel as Alien did and it works on screen. The movie portrays the hardship of the miners well and the sets are suitably gritty and dirty.

Sean Connery is perfect as the hard nosed Marshall who is alone in trying to stop these mysterious deaths. He was still young enough at the time to be convincingly physical when called for and yet looks mature enough.

Outland is dark, both in subject and in scenery but enjoyable for Connery’s performance in the closest to a western that he has ever starred in.